"Mom, I read Poobs magazine. Can we get Poobs magazine?" The Love Magnet looked at me expectantly through the rear view mirror as we drove home from swim lessons. It wasn't her look charming and irresistible so I can get what I want look. It was a genuine I read something that was really cool and I want to share it with you look. But, Poobs? Wait.......MY DAUGHTER READS MAGAZINES?!
"Honey, I have never read Poobs magazine. What is it?" I had no idea. Have you ever heard of it?
"Mom, it Poobs magazine. It really cool!"
"Honey", I answered, "I don't know anything about Poobs magazine. Where did you read it? What was in it?"
"I read it at J's", she said definitively, as if it solved everything. Okay, the family who takes her to school twice a week. The Js are helping me so I can attend my early class.
"Do you want me to call Js and ask them about it? Or you can tell me what you read in it."
The Love Magnet grinned from ear to ear. She tilted her head to one side and put her pointer finger against her cheek. She thinks this is what people do when they are thinking. The kid is literal. "It about Clifford-the-big-red-dog an' Martha speak and dinosaurs!"
Hmmm. My mind tried to find the combination between these odd subjects. Brain cells coalesced ideas until the fog dissipated.
"Love Magnet, do you mean PBS magazine?"
My daughter threw her hands in the air. "That it, Mom! Poobs magazine."
"Honey, its pronounced P-B-S. PBS magazine."
"PBS! That spells Poobs, Mom!"
PBS, you might consider changing your pronunciation. I doubt The Love Magnet is the only child who thinks this way.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
14 Days of Valentines - Dinner ideas
I am narrowing down what I want to make for dinner. The kids always get a pizza early and then head upstairs for a DVD. I think Firstborn will be out on a date and Secondborn will be out with friends.
I've had my eye on the recipe for Lobster and Tomato Fettucine from my favorite restaurant Market Street Broiler. I've never made it before, nor have I ever cooked a lobster on my own. Shouldn't be too hard, should it? The dish sounds divine, but it would mean not doing a cream based dessert and my creme brulee recipe from the same place is my go-to dessert. Hmmm.
There is always my fall-back staple entree: Alton Brown's Pan Seared Rib Eye with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. It's foolproof when you want to make a really good steak. One rib-eye is big enough for the two of us. I like to add caramelized onions, sauteed 'shrooms, and crumbled Stilton. If I do this then I will also add bacon wrapped scallops.
I'm going easy on sides this year since I always serve too much food. Along with a loaf of really good bread from a local bakery, I'm making a simple Pear and spinach salad (swapping out the cranberries in favor of pomegranate).
Dessert will most likely be a Blackberry and Almond Torte recipe, also from Market Street. The presentation is gorgeous and I haven't made one for a few years. It's time.
Other ideas can be found in a previous blog post here. Or get already prepped food from Costco that you only have to heat (the Miso-glazed cod from the freezer section is tasty) or get your fave takeout. For dessert, get brownie bites and fruit from the store and melt chocolate for fondue. Or head to your fave bakery for a cupcakes, ultimate chocolate cake, or fruit tarts. You could layer cubes of purchased pound cake, fruit, and whip cream in flute glasses or those cute mini trifle glasses I've seen at Target and Walmart. Go to your fave chocolatier, purchase 8 different kinds of truffles and have a truffle tasting. (This surprisingly went over really well on a date night I planned last summer. If you don't do it for V-day, plan it for a romantic picnic ASAP).
I've said this every year, but it bears repeating. It doesn't matter what you do. Your Mr. Wonderful will appreciate the effort. Spending time making him feel loved it the only goal.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
14 Days of Valentines Plan-o'-Days
Sorry, this is a bit later than I promised. But here it is (*cue fanfare*) My 14 Days of Valentines game plan:
Day 1 (Tuesday): One gift basket full of all the triathlon and training stuff he keeps meaning to get but never has time, plus a note telling him how sexy I think he looks in his bike gear.
Day 2 (Wednesday): Me and You - a letter with my plans for our special Valentine's dinner.
Day 3 (Thursday): movie tickets and red vines candy. (Remember this is Firstborn's birthday so keeping it low key.)
Day 4 (Friday): 4-ever in love with you (recreating our first dance. Must get CD or MP3 download of Simple Mind's Don't You Forget About Me.) Yeah. That's when I first fell in love with him.
Day 5 (Saturday): 4 beautiful children and one cute wife pictures for his office. Irreverent silly pictures. Or just baby pictures including mine where my mom gave me a flat top. Seriously)
Day 6 (Sunday): Breakfast in bed with Pineapple Rolls, thick cut bacon, and a mushroom and Gruyere omelet.
Day 7 (Monday): One banana cream pie (his favorite) for Family Home Evening treat, with accompanying cheesy poetry.
Day 8 (Tuesday): Madness Make-It-G0-Away. I take the kids out and he gets downtime to do whatever he wants. Provide latest book he said he wanted to read, make sure his gym clothes are clean if he wants to work out. Dinner will be homemade pizza with a pepperoni heart.
Day 9 (Wednesday): Love note about our 20th Valentine's Day together and reminiscing about our 1st one.
Day 10 (Thursday): Ten Things I Love About You (written in calligraphy on a scroll)
Day 11 (Friday) Date night. Trip to the temple to do sealing and remember our own sealing in the Salt Lake Temple. Followed by dessert at our fave place.
Day 12 (Saturday) Valentines Dinner. Put kids to bed early. Menu will be posted soon.
Day 13 (Sunday) 13 Ways to say I Love You written on his truck in those fun window paints. Yes he will have to wash the car but he will have to wait until Monday. *grinning*
Day 14 (Monday) Home Evening about the importance of being a good husband. This is geared towards the boys, using their dad as an example.
I am particularly excited about days 11 and 13. SO EXCITED for V-Day 2011! Tell me about your plans, especially if this is the first year you try it. As always, look on the right side of the blog for the label cloud and click on 14 Days of Valentines for intro to the whole shebang and even more ideas on what to do to romance your Mr. Wonderful.
Day 1 (Tuesday): One gift basket full of all the triathlon and training stuff he keeps meaning to get but never has time, plus a note telling him how sexy I think he looks in his bike gear.
Day 2 (Wednesday): Me and You - a letter with my plans for our special Valentine's dinner.
Day 3 (Thursday): movie tickets and red vines candy. (Remember this is Firstborn's birthday so keeping it low key.)
Day 4 (Friday): 4-ever in love with you (recreating our first dance. Must get CD or MP3 download of Simple Mind's Don't You Forget About Me.) Yeah. That's when I first fell in love with him.
Day 5 (Saturday): 4 beautiful children and one cute wife pictures for his office. Irreverent silly pictures. Or just baby pictures including mine where my mom gave me a flat top. Seriously)
Day 6 (Sunday): Breakfast in bed with Pineapple Rolls, thick cut bacon, and a mushroom and Gruyere omelet.
Day 7 (Monday): One banana cream pie (his favorite) for Family Home Evening treat, with accompanying cheesy poetry.
Day 8 (Tuesday): Madness Make-It-G0-Away. I take the kids out and he gets downtime to do whatever he wants. Provide latest book he said he wanted to read, make sure his gym clothes are clean if he wants to work out. Dinner will be homemade pizza with a pepperoni heart.
Day 9 (Wednesday): Love note about our 20th Valentine's Day together and reminiscing about our 1st one.
Day 10 (Thursday): Ten Things I Love About You (written in calligraphy on a scroll)
Day 11 (Friday) Date night. Trip to the temple to do sealing and remember our own sealing in the Salt Lake Temple. Followed by dessert at our fave place.
Day 12 (Saturday) Valentines Dinner. Put kids to bed early. Menu will be posted soon.
Day 13 (Sunday) 13 Ways to say I Love You written on his truck in those fun window paints. Yes he will have to wash the car but he will have to wait until Monday. *grinning*
Day 14 (Monday) Home Evening about the importance of being a good husband. This is geared towards the boys, using their dad as an example.
I am particularly excited about days 11 and 13. SO EXCITED for V-Day 2011! Tell me about your plans, especially if this is the first year you try it. As always, look on the right side of the blog for the label cloud and click on 14 Days of Valentines for intro to the whole shebang and even more ideas on what to do to romance your Mr. Wonderful.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Real, honest-to-goodness, not-family-but-friends LATEOVER
Last night was another first for The Love Magnet. Her first lateover. Her first real not-family-but-friends lateover. She has never been that long away from me without other family members keeping track of her. And she loved it.
"Mom. I go in all by myself. You not invited. It's my lateover."
She was determined that I understood completely that I was not welcome.
The one thing I regret from having The Love Magnet repeat first grade was that she didn't continue on with her friends. Those kids really looked out for her. They invited her to birthday parties. They came over to play or to swim. The kids in her current grade haven't done the same. The closeness just isn't there. But one girl in particular who has gone ahead a year still invites her to birthday parties. God bless that family for remembering my daughter.
We went to Wallgreens to get a present. The Love Magnet knew exactly what she wanted to get: 4 uber-bright colors of nail polish (yellow, aqua, fuchsia, and sparkly purple), nail stickers, hair pretties and a matching necklace that changed colors when exposed to sunlight. Girl stuff.
She asked nonstop every waking hour for three days "When we go to party, Mom? Don't forget it at 5:00." I was quizzed to make sure I knew when to go. She made sure I knew where to go. Finally, when it was time, she reminded me for the entire 15 minute ride that I was not to go in the house. I promised that I would stay at the door.
She hugged me goodbye and tried to push me out.
I worried a little bit. I have no problem admitting it up front. The Love Magnet was gone for 4 hours. I trusted the family. I just wondered if my daughter would remember her manners. I worried if she would stay with the girls and not go off on her own to play with toys. I was afraid that she would forget to use the bathroom in all the excitement and have an accident.
When I picked her up, she was disappointed to see me. She must have been tired, because other than the initial expression of not wanting to be the first girl picked up by her parents, she put her shoes on and hugged everyone goodbye. She thanked the mom who hosted the event (and looked her in the eyes while speaking to her! - HUGE VICTORY! My DS moms will understand that.)
On the way home, The Love Magnet announced to her brother and his friends (whom I just picked up at the Y) that she was tired. She hugged her daddy and me and went straight to bed when we got home.
I'm cheering the independence. I'm thrilled about the remembered friendships. I'm at peace with her growing up.
I'm thinking we need to host more playdates and a lateover. Encourage more friendships.
"Mom. I go in all by myself. You not invited. It's my lateover."
She was determined that I understood completely that I was not welcome.
The one thing I regret from having The Love Magnet repeat first grade was that she didn't continue on with her friends. Those kids really looked out for her. They invited her to birthday parties. They came over to play or to swim. The kids in her current grade haven't done the same. The closeness just isn't there. But one girl in particular who has gone ahead a year still invites her to birthday parties. God bless that family for remembering my daughter.
We went to Wallgreens to get a present. The Love Magnet knew exactly what she wanted to get: 4 uber-bright colors of nail polish (yellow, aqua, fuchsia, and sparkly purple), nail stickers, hair pretties and a matching necklace that changed colors when exposed to sunlight. Girl stuff.
She asked nonstop every waking hour for three days "When we go to party, Mom? Don't forget it at 5:00." I was quizzed to make sure I knew when to go. She made sure I knew where to go. Finally, when it was time, she reminded me for the entire 15 minute ride that I was not to go in the house. I promised that I would stay at the door.
She hugged me goodbye and tried to push me out.
I worried a little bit. I have no problem admitting it up front. The Love Magnet was gone for 4 hours. I trusted the family. I just wondered if my daughter would remember her manners. I worried if she would stay with the girls and not go off on her own to play with toys. I was afraid that she would forget to use the bathroom in all the excitement and have an accident.
When I picked her up, she was disappointed to see me. She must have been tired, because other than the initial expression of not wanting to be the first girl picked up by her parents, she put her shoes on and hugged everyone goodbye. She thanked the mom who hosted the event (and looked her in the eyes while speaking to her! - HUGE VICTORY! My DS moms will understand that.)
On the way home, The Love Magnet announced to her brother and his friends (whom I just picked up at the Y) that she was tired. She hugged her daddy and me and went straight to bed when we got home.
I'm cheering the independence. I'm thrilled about the remembered friendships. I'm at peace with her growing up.
I'm thinking we need to host more playdates and a lateover. Encourage more friendships.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
THE 14 DAYS OF VALENTINES 2011
(psst.....Mr. Wonderful...go away, you are not allowed to read this)
Are you ready for some R*O*M*A*N*C*E?! It's that time of year again (woot-woot!). Get ready to smother your lover/hug your honey/make your man feel 20 feet tall.
For those of you who have never done this, here is the 411 (dude, I am so hip!):
* Think up a little something to do for you Mr. Wonderful for every single day in February from the 1st and culminating on the 14th with you making a special supper for the two of you. (Don't worry if you don't cook. I have advice to make it easy for you.)
*Inexpensive and creative is the way to go.
*Borrowing/stealing ideas from others or past years is perfectly acceptable.
*Jewelry, flowers, or reciprocation in kind from your man IS NOT THE GOAL. This is unselfish, sweet love.
WHY DO THIS? Because he deserves it. Period.
Easy peasey. Check out the right side bar and scroll down to The 14 Days of Valentines for ideas. I will post my ideas by Saturday. Early planning is the key. Ideas can cost little or even be free. Think romantic and fun.
ON YOUR MARK!
GET SET!
GO!
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
New Years Resolutions thrust upon me
I wasn't going to make any New Years Resolutions. I have my goals already laid out: make it through my last semester, graduate (!) with my Bachelors in Communication Sciences and Disorders, put my house somewhat in order and hopefully keep it that way, and juggle my schedule plus kids tutoring, swim lessons, climbing lessons....
(Did you know that the YMCA has climbing lessons and a competitive climbing team called The Rock Stars? Thirdborn is swooning. Unfortunately the 101 class is full and he has to wait until next month. But I digress......)
Today I sat in front of the organ at church. Listened to podcast lesson #2 "First Steps In Pedal Playing". Practice my pedal work. Sounded like a first year piano student.
Agony.
The organ amplifies my every mistake. The medial area of my right knee hurts and I wonder why. It's worse when I try to navigate the pedals heel-toe. I have to sit ram-rod straight and barely on the organ bench in order to make that heel-toe motion work. Along with the discomfort, I mourn the straight posture I used to have way back during the Jurassic Period. Before color was invented. Eons ago. It's exhausting to sit that straight for 4 verses of a hymn.
It's hard for me to not be good at something. And this organ playing humbling me. I'm scheduled to play organ in two weeks in Sacrament Meeting and I realize now that it is not nearly enough time. As I told the Ward Music Chairperson "I won't be an organist, but at least I will be willing". I am impatient and want to see improvement now. Uh.......now. No...........now! No improvement after an hour of practice. I pack up my laptop, binder of printed material for the online podcast course, and my brand-spankin'-new huge spiral bound hymnbook. The kind organists use. Because I am an organist. At least I'm trying to pretend to be one.
I need organ shoes.
I said a little prayer yesterday before I started my first practice. I asked Heavenly Father if he would mind loaning me Sis. Larson (my piano teacher for 8 years) to whisper in my ear until I got the hang of this. Its going to take months and I need a mentor.
Magnify my calling. Hope. Believe. Endure joyfully. No bad attitude.
I'm still impatient. Do I need to repent for that?
(Did you know that the YMCA has climbing lessons and a competitive climbing team called The Rock Stars? Thirdborn is swooning. Unfortunately the 101 class is full and he has to wait until next month. But I digress......)
Today I sat in front of the organ at church. Listened to podcast lesson #2 "First Steps In Pedal Playing". Practice my pedal work. Sounded like a first year piano student.
Agony.
The organ amplifies my every mistake. The medial area of my right knee hurts and I wonder why. It's worse when I try to navigate the pedals heel-toe. I have to sit ram-rod straight and barely on the organ bench in order to make that heel-toe motion work. Along with the discomfort, I mourn the straight posture I used to have way back during the Jurassic Period. Before color was invented. Eons ago. It's exhausting to sit that straight for 4 verses of a hymn.
It's hard for me to not be good at something. And this organ playing humbling me. I'm scheduled to play organ in two weeks in Sacrament Meeting and I realize now that it is not nearly enough time. As I told the Ward Music Chairperson "I won't be an organist, but at least I will be willing". I am impatient and want to see improvement now. Uh.......now. No...........now! No improvement after an hour of practice. I pack up my laptop, binder of printed material for the online podcast course, and my brand-spankin'-new huge spiral bound hymnbook. The kind organists use. Because I am an organist. At least I'm trying to pretend to be one.
I need organ shoes.
I said a little prayer yesterday before I started my first practice. I asked Heavenly Father if he would mind loaning me Sis. Larson (my piano teacher for 8 years) to whisper in my ear until I got the hang of this. Its going to take months and I need a mentor.
Magnify my calling. Hope. Believe. Endure joyfully. No bad attitude.
I'm still impatient. Do I need to repent for that?
Monday, January 03, 2011
Believe. Hope. Endure Joyfully. Welcome 2011!
The textbooks have come. Sticker shock over the $150+ price tag of my Educational Audiology paperback textbook as well as the $50+ price tag of Topical Diagnosis in Neurology textbooks whose size I can easily fit into my purse. I can already tell you that my Neurology class is going to be incredibly tough. Still, I am looking forward to it.
Last semester, blog peeps. I am getting my B.S. in Communication Disorders in May. Twenty years after my original plan of when it was supposed to happen (albeit with a B.A. in Musical Dance Theater way back in the '91) I am going to graduate.
Can you hear the angels singing? Oh, yeah, I can.
Today's plans include more sticker shock as I go pay my tuition for the semester. Then it's off to practice the organ at church. Yesterday I was called to be the Assistant Ward Organist. I have a feeling my old piano teacher, Sister Larson, is up in heaven pointing her finger at me and saying "I told you that you needed to learn organ!" I have downloaded and printed BYU's The New Organist program and will listen to the free accompanying MP3 lectures from iTunes. BTW, those lectures and printouts are FREE if you are interested. 12 lessons in all and the claim is that it should turn me into an organist or at least put me on the path. BYU also has their yearly organ workshops (this year it starts August 2nd) which I am seriously looking into attending. I used to love their choir workshops.
As for the title of my first blog in 2011, it comes from a talk I gave the last Sunday in 2010 in my ward. Mr. Wonderful, Secondborn, and I were asked to focus on the topic of the 13th Article of Faith. My talk was about the middle: "We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things." I took the liberty of changing it a bit to "....and hope to be able to endure all things joyfully". My goals for 2011.
Last semester, blog peeps. I am getting my B.S. in Communication Disorders in May. Twenty years after my original plan of when it was supposed to happen (albeit with a B.A. in Musical Dance Theater way back in the '91) I am going to graduate.
Can you hear the angels singing? Oh, yeah, I can.
Today's plans include more sticker shock as I go pay my tuition for the semester. Then it's off to practice the organ at church. Yesterday I was called to be the Assistant Ward Organist. I have a feeling my old piano teacher, Sister Larson, is up in heaven pointing her finger at me and saying "I told you that you needed to learn organ!" I have downloaded and printed BYU's The New Organist program and will listen to the free accompanying MP3 lectures from iTunes. BTW, those lectures and printouts are FREE if you are interested. 12 lessons in all and the claim is that it should turn me into an organist or at least put me on the path. BYU also has their yearly organ workshops (this year it starts August 2nd) which I am seriously looking into attending. I used to love their choir workshops.
As for the title of my first blog in 2011, it comes from a talk I gave the last Sunday in 2010 in my ward. Mr. Wonderful, Secondborn, and I were asked to focus on the topic of the 13th Article of Faith. My talk was about the middle: "We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things." I took the liberty of changing it a bit to "....and hope to be able to endure all things joyfully". My goals for 2011.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Christmas Activities
The annual high schools Christmas choir performance. This year Firstborn was singing in Acapella choir. They were great. It brought back so many memories of high school *mumble-mumble* years ago. Too bad this choir doesn't also sing Hallelujah chorus and O Holy Night with alumni. I'd go up there and sing.
No pics of this, but my stake also had their Christmas fireside. I directed the YM/YW choir in Peace, Peace, Peace and the stake choir in The Hallelujah Chorus. I love my singers - they sounded beautiful. Their singing always starts the Christmas season for me.
We decorated the tree and put up the Christmas village. I'm missing at least three buildings and have no idea what happened to them.
Now the neighbor treats are done, I'm going to make gingerbread and sugar cookie dough for cookie decorating tomorrow. Dinner is simmering on the stove. Fall semester is done so I don't have to stress over studying. Life is good.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Ultimate, Most Fabulous, Tee-rific, Uber Cool, Awesomest Christmas Gift EVER!
I know it is hard to see behind Mr. Wonderful and Firstborn - that is a helicopter. I decided that a gift of an experience would be great this year. Since Firstborn wants to be a pilot ( of planes, not helicopters, but that might change) I bought them a helicopter tour to see the Christmas lights downtown.
It rocked.
IT ROCKED!
I thought I would be scared silly due to my fear of heights. It was just incredibly cool. We flew around the capitol building, past the historic area, and around downtown. The view was amazing. So worth every cent to see the look on my son's face.
I am now the very cool queen-mom who won't quit patting herself on the back.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Coming up for air.....
I'm typing this while laying on the couch. The Love Magnet is snuggled against my side, fast asleep. For once, she isn't snoring. Poor thing, at least her cold seems to be getting better.
I thought that as soon as finals were over, I'd be totally relaxing and posting and baking and shopping and planning and......um, no. Scratch the relaxing part. Other than Mondays epic sleep-in-til-eight-a.m. (which was amazing, thankyouverymuch), I've been uber busy getting together graduate school applications. My Statement of Purpose has been edited (thank you so much, Cousin Anna) and all that is left is making sure the GRE scores and transcripts get to where they need to go.
Baking and treat delivery tomorrow. Wrapping happened this afternoon (I've lost one present already. It can't have gone far since I put everything in my closet and don't bother to hide it).
I prevented Thirdborn from buying handcuffs for The Love Magnet. I knew he would end up handcuffing her to something just to keep her out of his room. Instead, he was very smart and bought her a recorder/tambourine set so she would leave his recorder alone. The Love Magnet bought Secondborn a new wallet to replace the one he lost (it comes with a pocket size pliers/LED light/knife/screwdriver thingamabob that will surely be useful).
I arranged for the most fabulous gift for Mr. Wonderful and Firstborn: a helicopter tour over downtown to see the holiday lights. I figured since Firstborn wants to be a pilot, and Groupon had a fab deal of half off the tour, it would be perfect. Perfect was supposed to happen last Saturday night but was canceled due to weather. Rescheduled for this week. I'm really looking forward to seeing their faces.
I also bought and framed professional pics from Mr. Wonderful's first triathlon. I'm sure he'll be excited to see those. I am so proud of his accomplishments and I wanted the pics to be an ever-present bragging reminder of how cool he is.
The Love Magnet has requested that we make sugar cookies this week. So tomorrow a batch of sugar cookie dough and a batch of gingerbread dough will go into the fridge for Thursday. In the meantime, I have a house to clean. We are hosting Christmas dinner this year. I have new place mats (scored 80% off at Kohls) and a few things to make in advance. Christmas dinner will be ham with a whole mustard and apricot glaze, Grandma S' cranberry sauce, pickles in her cut-glass pickle dish, brie and crackers, hot crab and artichoke dip, and a gingerbread, lemon curd and blackberry trifle along with a place of Christmas cookies. My aunt and uncle will be bringing veg, potatoes, and their famous homemade bread.
Many pics coming up. But right now, my arm is asleep. I've got to figure out how to disentangle myself from The Love Magnet and carry her up to bed.
I thought that as soon as finals were over, I'd be totally relaxing and posting and baking and shopping and planning and......um, no. Scratch the relaxing part. Other than Mondays epic sleep-in-til-eight-a.m. (which was amazing, thankyouverymuch), I've been uber busy getting together graduate school applications. My Statement of Purpose has been edited (thank you so much, Cousin Anna) and all that is left is making sure the GRE scores and transcripts get to where they need to go.
Baking and treat delivery tomorrow. Wrapping happened this afternoon (I've lost one present already. It can't have gone far since I put everything in my closet and don't bother to hide it).
I prevented Thirdborn from buying handcuffs for The Love Magnet. I knew he would end up handcuffing her to something just to keep her out of his room. Instead, he was very smart and bought her a recorder/tambourine set so she would leave his recorder alone. The Love Magnet bought Secondborn a new wallet to replace the one he lost (it comes with a pocket size pliers/LED light/knife/screwdriver thingamabob that will surely be useful).
I arranged for the most fabulous gift for Mr. Wonderful and Firstborn: a helicopter tour over downtown to see the holiday lights. I figured since Firstborn wants to be a pilot, and Groupon had a fab deal of half off the tour, it would be perfect. Perfect was supposed to happen last Saturday night but was canceled due to weather. Rescheduled for this week. I'm really looking forward to seeing their faces.
I also bought and framed professional pics from Mr. Wonderful's first triathlon. I'm sure he'll be excited to see those. I am so proud of his accomplishments and I wanted the pics to be an ever-present bragging reminder of how cool he is.
The Love Magnet has requested that we make sugar cookies this week. So tomorrow a batch of sugar cookie dough and a batch of gingerbread dough will go into the fridge for Thursday. In the meantime, I have a house to clean. We are hosting Christmas dinner this year. I have new place mats (scored 80% off at Kohls) and a few things to make in advance. Christmas dinner will be ham with a whole mustard and apricot glaze, Grandma S' cranberry sauce, pickles in her cut-glass pickle dish, brie and crackers, hot crab and artichoke dip, and a gingerbread, lemon curd and blackberry trifle along with a place of Christmas cookies. My aunt and uncle will be bringing veg, potatoes, and their famous homemade bread.
Many pics coming up. But right now, my arm is asleep. I've got to figure out how to disentangle myself from The Love Magnet and carry her up to bed.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Extra Happy Birthday News
Secondborn is less than 2 inches away from being taller than Firstborn. Firstborn is not pleased.Happy Birthday, Secondborn
Secondborn turned 14 today. In honor of his awesomeness, here are 14 fab things about Secondborn:1. This is my generous kid. He used to spend all of his birthday money buying Christmas presents for his siblings (at least until we gently explained to him that it would be a good thing to spend some of it on himself).
2. Secondborn can get along with ANYONE. That is a rare talent, indeed.
3. We think this kid has all the Maori blood from his ancestors. He has the body type and the darker skin that tans easily. If he doesn't need to shave by the time he goes on his mission at age 19, we'll know he truly has the family Maori blood.
4. Secondborn is going to be a great cook. He loves cooking so much that he took the cooking courses at school long after he filled that requisite. He wants to continue on in high school. He doesn't have a desire to make this his profession, it's just something he loves to do.
5. Secondborn loves basketball even more than he loves cooking. He was on the school team last year and it was fun to cheer him on at his games.
6. He loves reading, particularly Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, and James Dashner. His number one request for birthdays and Christmas gifts is books. (He takes after his mom.)
7. Secondborn still asks his friends to not swear around him. And they are careful to stop. One of them even apologized yesterday the second a cuss word slipped from his lips.
8. He has a quirky sense of humor. Tonight he was making up words to Christmas carols and laughing himself silly. Singing to the tune of It's beginning to look a lot like Chistmas" he sang "You bacon is starting to look quite crispy....". The lyrics didn't get any better, but we had fun laughing about it.
9. He loves the Utah Jazz and quotes stats about them all season.
10. He is his sister's best friend. He reads to The Love Magnet, carries her across icy parking lotsm, picks her up from school, and is her chief chicken noodle soup maker. The Love Magnet often tells everyone how much she loves her big brother.
11. Secondborn discovered girls this year. Unfortunately, his teachers weren't thrilled about it as it affected his schoolwork. Luckily he brought his grades back up and now keeps checking them against mine to see if he gets to pick the family vacay next summer. In the meantime, he now knows that liking girls fine, just don't talk to them during class.
12. He is a smart kid. He has been working on his 8th grade PACE project all year and scoring well with every segment. We're looking forward to his presentation at the end of the year.
13. Secondborn has turned out to be quite the thespian (and I am so proud!) His drama teacher was heaping on the praise during parent teacher conference. Apparently, Secondborn did a project that was stage ready beyond what the other students performed. Secondborn has never performed in front of us. We do get to see him when his class puts on a series of one-act plays in January. I'm so looking forward to that!
14. This kid has a testimony. He is really looking forward to being ordained a teacher tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Snow Day
We got a call at 5:30 a.m. The caller spoke Spanish. Mr. Wonderful thought it was a wrong number, hung up, and went back to sleep.
At 5:45 a.m. we received another call. This time it was in English: our school district superintendent had an automated voice mail sent to everyone announcing schools closed due to weather. I got onto my email and saw the same announcement had been sent in English AND Spanish. So that is what the first call was! My school posted a closure notice, too. Every one of us was excited for real honest-to-goodness SNOW DAY.
The boys trooped outside as soon as they had their bedrooms clean. The shoveled the driveway, threw snowballs to Doggie Girl (she loves to eat snowballs), and then disappeared with their friends to the neighborhood hills for some serious sledding.
The Love Magnet just stayed in her PJs. She doesn't have snow boots yet. She was quite happy to stay on the couch and soak in all the television I would let her. *sigh* I know, I am not winning any mom-of-the-year awards this year.
After lunchtime, the boys trooped in with their friends, drank copious amounts of hot chocolate and ate leftover lasagna, and tore through the house. They played with Thirdborn's new microscope set. Indoor hide-and-seek. Lots of yelling, wrestling, and "not it's".
I made a batch of gingerbread, threw beans and ham hocks in the slow cooker, and kept the hot chocolate maker going all afternoon. The kids left me in peace to finish up a project for my language assessment class, start another one for my aural rehab class, and get a few things done. It was wonderful. My house smells amazing, there are only a few muddy bootprints downstairs, and everyone was entertained all afternoon.
Can we have another snow day tomorrow? Please?
The boys trooped outside as soon as they had their bedrooms clean. The shoveled the driveway, threw snowballs to Doggie Girl (she loves to eat snowballs), and then disappeared with their friends to the neighborhood hills for some serious sledding.
The Love Magnet just stayed in her PJs. She doesn't have snow boots yet. She was quite happy to stay on the couch and soak in all the television I would let her. *sigh* I know, I am not winning any mom-of-the-year awards this year.
After lunchtime, the boys trooped in with their friends, drank copious amounts of hot chocolate and ate leftover lasagna, and tore through the house. They played with Thirdborn's new microscope set. Indoor hide-and-seek. Lots of yelling, wrestling, and "not it's".
I made a batch of gingerbread, threw beans and ham hocks in the slow cooker, and kept the hot chocolate maker going all afternoon. The kids left me in peace to finish up a project for my language assessment class, start another one for my aural rehab class, and get a few things done. It was wonderful. My house smells amazing, there are only a few muddy bootprints downstairs, and everyone was entertained all afternoon.
Can we have another snow day tomorrow? Please?
Monday, November 29, 2010
10 Great Things About Thirdborn
Today my Thirdborn turned 10 years old. To celebrate him, here are ten fabulous things about him.
1. This kid understands gratitude. He is so grateful for everyone and everything. He never forgets to say "thank you".
2. Thirdborn loves learning everything science. He was so excited to receive a microscope/science kit and a crystal-growing kit for his birthday. He loves studying animals and can rattle off science trivia that would astound you.
3. If you are new in school then Thirdborn will be your first friend. He seeks out the new kids and pulls them into his group.
4. This kid can climb. Take him to a climbing wall and he will beat you to the top.
5. Thirdborn is my sensitive kid. If he sees someone suffering, he feels such empathy towards them. Many times I have caught him with tears in his eyes when he sees someone who is hurt, homeless, or just sad.
6. Thirdborn loves Scouting. He never wants to miss a den meeting and comes home full of facts and ideas that he wants to try at home. (Let me just add here: God bless his scout leaders!)
7. He has silver eyelashes. It's really from vitiligo but we tell him that the stars in his eyes caused his lashes to go silver. He thinks they're pretty cool.
8. This kid thinks out of the box. He comes up with the craziest theories and coolest solutions. I think it might have to do with having dyslexia. Some of the most creative minds had dyslexia.
9. He is the spitting image of his daddy. Of all of our boys, he looks the most like Mr. Wonderful. I really should put their pics side by side in another post and let you judge.
10. Thirdborn is my hero. He has really struggled with his learning disabilities, yet I have never witnessed him to have a bad attitude about it. He works hard every single day and stays positive.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010
Mr. Wonderful hung out with his little brother...
and Thirdborn played with the train sets, pinball machines, and air hockey table...(seems more like Christmas than Thanksgiving, doesn't it?)
and the Love Magnet read aloud to anyone who would listen...
Secondborn made a batch of his famous Baconator Deviled Eggs.
Grandma Wonderful told of the lastest in the family history search. We now know that we have relatives who were abducted by pirates and made to serve as cabin boys until they escaped. (Disney-Pixar will be calling soon for the film rights.)
I made my (famous only to me) Streuseled Sweet Potatoes.
I made my (famous only to me) Streuseled Sweet Potatoes.(Actually they were very well received thankyouverymuch.)
Mr. Wonderful played with his little niece. She loved him, of course.
She smiled for everyone. Little Charmer.
Soon it was time to finish the platters and sit down for our meal.
We were requested by Grandma to each say for what we were thankful.
Mr. Wonderful played with his little niece. She loved him, of course.
She smiled for everyone. Little Charmer.
Soon it was time to finish the platters and sit down for our meal.
We were requested by Grandma to each say for what we were thankful.I'm thankful for this guy. Secondborn's sense of humor cracks me up every single time. I am so proud of his cooking. He is always so kind to others.
I'm grateful for this one, too. Firstborn has really shown his leadership skills as swim team captain this year. He is also learning to be more patient and it shows.
Thirdborn is my hero. He has really worked hard this year to do better in reading and math. He will be a great scientist someday.
I am grateful for the Love Magnet, too. Unfortunately, her pic did not load up and I can't figure out why.
I'm grateful for this one, too. Firstborn has really shown his leadership skills as swim team captain this year. He is also learning to be more patient and it shows.
Thirdborn is my hero. He has really worked hard this year to do better in reading and math. He will be a great scientist someday.
I am grateful for the Love Magnet, too. Unfortunately, her pic did not load up and I can't figure out why.Did I ever tell you how much I love my in-loves? Even when they threaten me for taking their pictures. They don't like cameras. Hah! Got Grandpa Wonderful anyway!
And the record-for-future genereations "What did you used to eat for Thanksgiving?"
Later in the evening, we went to another brother-in-loves house for dessert. Grandma played with my sweet niece.
While I snapped Wendywoo snapping. This is the chickie who is AMAZING at decorating. See her decorating blog here. She has promised to come do my house (that is if they ever come to Idaho again). In the meantime, you could hire her to do your house.
My nephew and the boys escaped downstairs to play video games. Mr. Wonderful traipsed off with his brother to try to find a frozen pipe. That left my in-loves, my niece, and I to eat pie.
Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am going to the movies and then off to the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU. I hope you have a fun day planned, too.
And the record-for-future genereations "What did you used to eat for Thanksgiving?"
Later in the evening, we went to another brother-in-loves house for dessert. Grandma played with my sweet niece.
While I snapped Wendywoo snapping. This is the chickie who is AMAZING at decorating. See her decorating blog here. She has promised to come do my house (that is if they ever come to Idaho again). In the meantime, you could hire her to do your house. 
My nephew and the boys escaped downstairs to play video games. Mr. Wonderful traipsed off with his brother to try to find a frozen pipe. That left my in-loves, my niece, and I to eat pie.
Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am going to the movies and then off to the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU. I hope you have a fun day planned, too.Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Over the river and through the woods
Actually, we should be singing "over the snow-packed freeway past dozens of flipped vehicles.." The roads in Idaho were horrible. We took it very slow and were relieved to make it past the border into Utah where the roads were clear.
I have really missed my mountains.
We made it to the Wasatch Front just as the sun started to go down.
The sunset kept changing as the clouds kept changing.
It became dark just as we reached Layton
Smack in the middle of the Salt Lake Valley is the home of the parents of Mr. Wonderful. Grandma Wonderful loves to collect toys for the grandkids to play with when they visit.
She even found a computerized chess board because she knew Secondborn loved to play chess.
We are so grateful we made it safely and are looking forward to Thanksgiving with family tomorrow. I'm making my usual Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole and brussel sprouts with bacon and mushrooms. Secondborn is making is famous Baconator Deviled Eggs.Thursday, November 18, 2010
GRE panic........and calm.....
I took the GRE last night. And I bombed it.
Actually, it was a practice GRE, the third practice GRE I had done, and the first one I tried while timed.
I hated that little clock on the screen. It ticked like a time bomb and shattered my belief in myself. I scored horribly low on that practice test. After staring at the computer screen in shock, I started to cry. Hard. Then I got to my knees and started to pray. Hard. The tears didn't stop, they just came faster.
Please, Heavenly Father, I can't fail.
I know the taste of failure. It has happened so many times. My whole grad school future hinges on being able to score well on the GRE. I prayed and cried, cried and prayed.
Mr. Wonderful heard about it late last night after the kids were in bed. He heard me out, let me cry on his shoulder, counseled me, and promised to give me a priesthood blessing the next morning.
This morning, before the kids were up, Mr. Wonderful gave me a blessing in which he reminded me whose daughter I was and blessed me to have a calm spirit and clear recall of the things I studied.
I felt calm. I was so calm during my morning class that my classmates wondered what was wrong with me. Usually I am talkative - not this morning. I breezed through a quiz I had in class this morning, then left to review for the GRE.
This afternoon, I entered the testing center still feeling calm. I filled out the paperwork, hand copied the paragraph stating that I would not cheat, showed I.D., and stowed all my belongings in a locker - including a watch they told me I couldn't wear. They even made me turn my pockets inside out. All I could take in were two pencils and four sheets of yellow paper.
I walked in calmly. My hands weren't even shaking.
Noise reduction headphones - on.
Place paper, pencils, and I.D. just so,
Scroll through the directions.
Deep breath and quick stretch.
Go.
I think I rocked the essays. The quantitative was stressful. The problems I could not figure out in 2 minutes, I did a best guess of elimination and moved on. At least I finished the section with 2 seconds to spare. During the verbal, there were only two words I did not know but I could break them down and make a guess between two of the five answers available.
I did better on the quant than I thought I would but not great. I wasn't sure if I did well on the verbal until I looked up the percentage. According to the ETS website (if I understood it correctly) I did very well on the verbal.
I need to talk to my counselor to see if my scores were good enough for grad school, or should I take it again and hope for better on the math. I won't have my full scores with essays for two weeks.
Overall, I feel pretty good. Calm. Really calm.
Hopefully that feeling will last all through Thanksgiving break.
Actually, it was a practice GRE, the third practice GRE I had done, and the first one I tried while timed.
I hated that little clock on the screen. It ticked like a time bomb and shattered my belief in myself. I scored horribly low on that practice test. After staring at the computer screen in shock, I started to cry. Hard. Then I got to my knees and started to pray. Hard. The tears didn't stop, they just came faster.
Please, Heavenly Father, I can't fail.
I know the taste of failure. It has happened so many times. My whole grad school future hinges on being able to score well on the GRE. I prayed and cried, cried and prayed.
Mr. Wonderful heard about it late last night after the kids were in bed. He heard me out, let me cry on his shoulder, counseled me, and promised to give me a priesthood blessing the next morning.
This morning, before the kids were up, Mr. Wonderful gave me a blessing in which he reminded me whose daughter I was and blessed me to have a calm spirit and clear recall of the things I studied.
I felt calm. I was so calm during my morning class that my classmates wondered what was wrong with me. Usually I am talkative - not this morning. I breezed through a quiz I had in class this morning, then left to review for the GRE.
This afternoon, I entered the testing center still feeling calm. I filled out the paperwork, hand copied the paragraph stating that I would not cheat, showed I.D., and stowed all my belongings in a locker - including a watch they told me I couldn't wear. They even made me turn my pockets inside out. All I could take in were two pencils and four sheets of yellow paper.
I walked in calmly. My hands weren't even shaking.
Noise reduction headphones - on.
Place paper, pencils, and I.D. just so,
Scroll through the directions.
Deep breath and quick stretch.
Go.
I think I rocked the essays. The quantitative was stressful. The problems I could not figure out in 2 minutes, I did a best guess of elimination and moved on. At least I finished the section with 2 seconds to spare. During the verbal, there were only two words I did not know but I could break them down and make a guess between two of the five answers available.
I did better on the quant than I thought I would but not great. I wasn't sure if I did well on the verbal until I looked up the percentage. According to the ETS website (if I understood it correctly) I did very well on the verbal.
I need to talk to my counselor to see if my scores were good enough for grad school, or should I take it again and hope for better on the math. I won't have my full scores with essays for two weeks.
Overall, I feel pretty good. Calm. Really calm.
Hopefully that feeling will last all through Thanksgiving break.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Trials, frustrations, and tender mercies
This past week was a short school week for the kids. Parent Teacher Conferences.
I dread them.
It's hard to go in with a good attitude, even though I know that all the adults present are there in the best interest of my children. But it seems that every session is more negative and rarely positive.
This year it was a lot about The Love Magnet's potty accidents that started this school year and seem to be getting worse. There were also behavior issues. Then there was the 'less-able-than-we thought'. I managed to make it through the entire session without crying (a record for me) but still had to mentally steel myself and try to inhale the tears back through my tear ducts.
In Thirdborn's session, it was to see his test scores and the grade equivalent of his reading level. I do not hold much to the grade equivalent. At one point I realized that my body posture was showing my attitude and quickly uncrossed my arms and sat up straighter.
Trials and frustrations.
Thankfully, Mrs. A, the resource teacher, took me into her room and showed me Thirdborn's successes and that told me that she didn't think his grade equivalent was accurate, either.
Tender mercies.
Firstborn's and Secondborn's teachers all had interesting things to say. Some positives, some negatives, and some surprises.
Frustrations.
I spent yesterday working on an assessment project that I desperately need to score well to improve my grade. The teacher said not to stress to much about it. But it is hard writing a diagnostic when I've never done it before, especially when I have to make up some of the testing data.
Frustrations.
Today I stuffed my freezer full of chicken from a fabulous sale. It feels good to know that we have food and food storage. It's my sense of accomplishment this week, where my family is concerned.
Tender mercies.
Today, The Love Magnet helped me plant 60 bulbs in our front yard. We pulled weeds and roots. We found worms. I had accidentally cut one in half. The Love Magnet just thought it was a mama worm with her baby worm and declared "Oh, that is so sweeeet!" We watched them squirm back into the dirt. We counted bulbs. My daughter made sure that each one she placed in the ground had the pointed side up. As we were digging in the dirt, I had a prompting: "Savor this moment". It was the first time I had slowed down all week and did something not involving a textbook. The air was warm and the sun shined on our backs - the last gorgeous day of fall.
Tender mercies.
I dread them.
It's hard to go in with a good attitude, even though I know that all the adults present are there in the best interest of my children. But it seems that every session is more negative and rarely positive.
This year it was a lot about The Love Magnet's potty accidents that started this school year and seem to be getting worse. There were also behavior issues. Then there was the 'less-able-than-we thought'. I managed to make it through the entire session without crying (a record for me) but still had to mentally steel myself and try to inhale the tears back through my tear ducts.
In Thirdborn's session, it was to see his test scores and the grade equivalent of his reading level. I do not hold much to the grade equivalent. At one point I realized that my body posture was showing my attitude and quickly uncrossed my arms and sat up straighter.
Trials and frustrations.
Thankfully, Mrs. A, the resource teacher, took me into her room and showed me Thirdborn's successes and that told me that she didn't think his grade equivalent was accurate, either.
Tender mercies.
Firstborn's and Secondborn's teachers all had interesting things to say. Some positives, some negatives, and some surprises.
Frustrations.
I spent yesterday working on an assessment project that I desperately need to score well to improve my grade. The teacher said not to stress to much about it. But it is hard writing a diagnostic when I've never done it before, especially when I have to make up some of the testing data.
Frustrations.
Today I stuffed my freezer full of chicken from a fabulous sale. It feels good to know that we have food and food storage. It's my sense of accomplishment this week, where my family is concerned.
Tender mercies.
Today, The Love Magnet helped me plant 60 bulbs in our front yard. We pulled weeds and roots. We found worms. I had accidentally cut one in half. The Love Magnet just thought it was a mama worm with her baby worm and declared "Oh, that is so sweeeet!" We watched them squirm back into the dirt. We counted bulbs. My daughter made sure that each one she placed in the ground had the pointed side up. As we were digging in the dirt, I had a prompting: "Savor this moment". It was the first time I had slowed down all week and did something not involving a textbook. The air was warm and the sun shined on our backs - the last gorgeous day of fall.
Tender mercies.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
She finally wants to be a princess.....
.........an OGRE princess.
Why? 1. Because there is no shiny/scratchy/satiny/slippery/lacy part of this costume at all.
2. Because she wanted me to paint her feet green. Not her face, she only wanted sparkly "really mommy lipstick, NOT CHAPSTICK, Mom, real lipstick" on her face. But she was obsessed with green feet. (No, I did not paint her feet green.
3. Because she wanted her daddy to dress up like Shrek. And Firstborn was supposed to be Prince Charming (he certainly has the hair for it). Secondborn was supposed to be Donkey and Thirdborn was supposed to be Puss in Boots. I was to be the Evil Fairy Godmother. We could have made this work so well......except The Love Magnet did not tell us her complete Halloween fantasy until right before it was time to go to Trunk-or-Treat at the church. Oops. Sorry, sweetie, even the Evil Fairy Godmother can not make costumes magically appear that fast. Maybe next year.
Other oddities:
The Love Magnet had it in her head that it couldn't be a proper Halloween party without a cheese ball. Where does she get this idea? She is not really into them. I don't even think she fully understands what a cheese ball is. But she was determined that we absolutely had to have one for her class party. She had to make do with apples and caramel like everyone else.
The Love Magnet wished everyone a Happy Halloween. The checkout at the grocery store. The crossing guard. The neighbors. All. Month. Long. Do you think she will be disappointed tomorrow or move smoothly into wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving?
Should I be concerned that TLM thought I would be perfect as the Evil Fairy Godmother?
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